NFL Picks: Henecker: Eli will pick up the pieces

I knew when the phone rang with about four minutes left in the Giants/Vikes game who would be on the other end: Viking fan and Supervisor-Elect Goodspeed. Ever the politician, he offered his condolences and thanked my quarterback for throwing three touchdowns to his teams defense.

To say I was depressed was an understatement. The only person who looked more sickened over it was Denton pressman Stuart Hutchins, who suffered through the game live at the Meadowlands. Long ride home, Im sure.

Still, it was one of my better picking weeks of the season with an 11-5 record. Problem is, everyone else also had strong weeks. John Gereau maintains his three-game lead over John Santasier, but George Studnicky Jr. keeps chipping away and moving up in the standings.

By the time you read this, well have seen the best game of the week the Packers vs. the Cowgirls. I hate to admit it, but Im really looking forward to this game. Of course, I have to pick Green Bay, even though I still dont think theyre as good as their record shows, but I really, really, really want to see Dallas go down.

The New York Football Giants have a tough road trip to Chicago Sunday, especially coming off last weeks debacle, but young Eli will make up for the worst game of his career with a game of a lifetime.

The Jets/ Miami game should truly be entertaining they both stink beyond belief. I really do like the Jets, but I think its incredibly unlikely the Dolphins will go winless, and this week at home seems to be their best (maybe only) chance to notch a W, so Ive got to take them.

The Buffalo/Washington game intrigues me this week as well. Earlier this week, Washington safety Sean Taylor was shot and killed in his Florida home. Thats got to weigh heavy on the Skins minds. Theyll surely want to come out and win this one in Taylors memory, but that never really seems to work. Still, the Bills cant seem to settle on a quarterback and looked pretty horrible against the Jags last week. Im giving the emotional edge to Washington.

Good luck to all, and GO BIG BLUE!!!

Tom Henecker is plant manager at Denton Publications. He can be reached at tom@denpubs.com